The United Kingdom cannot deport a radical cleric linked to al Qaeda to Jordan because evidence obtained by torture could be used against him there, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in a landmark case Tuesday.

Abu Qatada has been fighting to remain in the United Kingdom since he was first arrested under anti-terrorism legislation nearly a decade ago.

He would be "at real risk of ill-treatment or a grossly unfair trial if deported to Jordan, where he is wanted on terrorism charges," the court said in a statement announcing the ruling.

British officials have described the Jordanian national as an "inspiration" for terrorists such as Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker behind the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

Abu Qatada appealed to the European Court following a British court ruling in 2009 ordering his deportation.

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R. Barga

In the Abu Qatada case, it seems the European court of Human Rights has no regard for the feelings and thoughts of the average peace loving peoples wherever they live. This man is clearly a danger to society and if he is wanted by any country to answer charges, he should be automatically sent there. If Bin Laden was being held in Jordan on a legal technicality, the US and other countries would no doubt use every available means to get hold of him. So why the hypocracy. When will the average citizen of so called 'developed' counties ever get fair justice in cases like this.
?????

The world has gone mad.
Great Britain cannot deport a terrorist?
Think about it more deeply than, "yeah, but see, something bad is sure to happen to him if you send him over there, and it's not right for anything bad to happen to any human being, no matter what he did, because he a human being, after all, and such."

I don't get it.
He was already convicted in absentia.
He came to England with papers that were forged.
Is the European Court seriously putting this one man's "rights" (which to me are questionable
Since he entered the country illegally) above the security of an entire country?
What about England's right not to have a known terroist in its midst?
Unreal.

Well Britain, aren't you glad you joined the EU? Now you aren't allowed to deport anyone without their permission. Maybe it's time to cut loose from the EU. Why not put the Commonwealth back together in some meaningful way? It can be you, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and anyone else who wants in. Quebec might not like it, but we'll just let them leave.

Maybe he will appreciate more the Western style of Justice who is protecting him. Maybe he will put more effort in a spiritual fight against the forces of evil than in a physical effort to fight the forces of evil. Or, maybe he will put a strap-on vest and ask an audience with Her Royal Majesty the Queen or some other mission ordered by God the Compassionate and Merciful

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